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thebusybookmom's review against another edition
4.0
Pride wraps up the Kingdom of Sins series in an explosive way. Jadon and Delilah's love story is one for the ages. They have to unite together for the good of all. They have a great chemistry that is seen from the very first meeting. Jadon has a wonderful heart, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everyone is taken care of no matter the cost to himself. Delilah being able to rely on Jadon after her world is blown apart shows just how much these two connect with each other.
Can't wait to see what Willow comes up with next!
Can't wait to see what Willow comes up with next!
profromance's review against another edition
4.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pride, the final book of Willow Aster’s Kingdoms of Sin series, ends the series in all of the glory. This reader has been there since the beginning, Downfall, when the pain bled on the page from Luka’s spurning of his arranged bride, Eden, through their eventual happy ending to Mara and Elias’s story in book 2, Exposed, to Ava and Gentry in book 3, Ruin. Each book’s characters were singular. The journeys of their heroes and heroines were specific to that story. All along, though, Willow Aster has stretched a story of intrigue and political treachery. Each book serves up a piece of that romantic suspense, and it’s the thread that binds you to this series.
In book 4, Pride, the final book of the series, Aster pulls that thread taut, revealing the final piece of the puzzle. I’ll be honest. There isn’t really any surprise as to the culprits behind the political betrayals. It’s clear through all of the books who the political puppetmasters are. It’s in this book, though, where Aster shines integrity over these hidden entities and allows the “good guys” to win in the end. If you are hoping for a satisfying ending with Pride, then you will be happy.
Underpinning the suspense of the Kingdoms of Sin series is its romance. Again, each book engages in a different romantic trope. With Pride, my favorite romantic trope is realized: enemies to lovers. Delilah Farthing is the daughter of Jadon Safrin’s kingdom’s enemy. When she decides to secretly meet with Jadon to attempt to resolve kingdom conflicts, the enemy’s daughter and Jadon feel an instant attraction. There is something about Delilah that Jadon feels drawn to, and Delilah feels the same. As the story progresses and Jadon must step in to protect Delilah from her father’s machinations, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe. However, their journey is a complicated one, and Delilah will have to save herself and her kingdom first.
Unlike the other books of this series, the journey for the hero and heroine in Pride is a bit different. Delilah and Jadon do not fight their feelings for each other for long unlike Eden and Luka, Mara and Elias, and Gentry and Ava. Their journey is complicated by kingdom intrigues. As such, the tension of this book lies in their survival as their lives are met with danger at every turn. This is also the weakest part of the book, as the tension is elongated too far into the book. It feels contrived at times, drawing away from the burgeoning relationship between Delilah and Jadon.
With that, Aster crafts a chemistry between Delilah and Jadon that burns the page. Even more, Jadon is the strongest hero in this series. It’s been clear since the first page that he is stalwart and resilient in the face of difficulties. In Pride, Aster elaborates on this by showing us his integrity and compassion for both Delilah and the less fortunate. He is a great king and a great person, so, as the reader, you root for his success in wooing Delilah and saving her from the political danger. I would have liked for the danger to have been edited to a few moments. Instead, they sometimes take over the story, losing some of the romance in its journey.
One of the divine parts of this story, though, (besides Delilah and Jadon’s romance) is the focus on women as chattel. It is clear that this is a modern-day story, yet Delilah’s experience illustrates ideologies of the past in terms of women. She is seen as a negotiable piece of her father’s property, and she strives throughout the book to gain personal power as protection. She recognizes her lack of knowledge about her father’s kingdom, and she attempts to remedy that by allying herself with his enemies. Even more, she takes a stand as a way to protect her future. She spurns the help of Jadon and does this in her own will. Yes, at some point, Jadon becomes her ally and helpmate, but Aster creates a heroine who saves herself first. Aster shows us through her story that Delilah’s true power exists from within. Love simply helps manifest that power.
In the end, Willow Aster has carefully crafted a series that intrigues, titillates, and challenges you. With Pride, she brings a perfect resolution to a series that has been fraught with character anxieties and challenges. Yet, in true romance fashion, everyone finds their happy ending, and the kingdoms thrive in the world of “happily-ever-afters.”
Pride, the final book of Willow Aster’s Kingdoms of Sin series, ends the series in all of the glory. This reader has been there since the beginning, Downfall, when the pain bled on the page from Luka’s spurning of his arranged bride, Eden, through their eventual happy ending to Mara and Elias’s story in book 2, Exposed, to Ava and Gentry in book 3, Ruin. Each book’s characters were singular. The journeys of their heroes and heroines were specific to that story. All along, though, Willow Aster has stretched a story of intrigue and political treachery. Each book serves up a piece of that romantic suspense, and it’s the thread that binds you to this series.
In book 4, Pride, the final book of the series, Aster pulls that thread taut, revealing the final piece of the puzzle. I’ll be honest. There isn’t really any surprise as to the culprits behind the political betrayals. It’s clear through all of the books who the political puppetmasters are. It’s in this book, though, where Aster shines integrity over these hidden entities and allows the “good guys” to win in the end. If you are hoping for a satisfying ending with Pride, then you will be happy.
Underpinning the suspense of the Kingdoms of Sin series is its romance. Again, each book engages in a different romantic trope. With Pride, my favorite romantic trope is realized: enemies to lovers. Delilah Farthing is the daughter of Jadon Safrin’s kingdom’s enemy. When she decides to secretly meet with Jadon to attempt to resolve kingdom conflicts, the enemy’s daughter and Jadon feel an instant attraction. There is something about Delilah that Jadon feels drawn to, and Delilah feels the same. As the story progresses and Jadon must step in to protect Delilah from her father’s machinations, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe. However, their journey is a complicated one, and Delilah will have to save herself and her kingdom first.
Unlike the other books of this series, the journey for the hero and heroine in Pride is a bit different. Delilah and Jadon do not fight their feelings for each other for long unlike Eden and Luka, Mara and Elias, and Gentry and Ava. Their journey is complicated by kingdom intrigues. As such, the tension of this book lies in their survival as their lives are met with danger at every turn. This is also the weakest part of the book, as the tension is elongated too far into the book. It feels contrived at times, drawing away from the burgeoning relationship between Delilah and Jadon.
With that, Aster crafts a chemistry between Delilah and Jadon that burns the page. Even more, Jadon is the strongest hero in this series. It’s been clear since the first page that he is stalwart and resilient in the face of difficulties. In Pride, Aster elaborates on this by showing us his integrity and compassion for both Delilah and the less fortunate. He is a great king and a great person, so, as the reader, you root for his success in wooing Delilah and saving her from the political danger. I would have liked for the danger to have been edited to a few moments. Instead, they sometimes take over the story, losing some of the romance in its journey.
One of the divine parts of this story, though, (besides Delilah and Jadon’s romance) is the focus on women as chattel. It is clear that this is a modern-day story, yet Delilah’s experience illustrates ideologies of the past in terms of women. She is seen as a negotiable piece of her father’s property, and she strives throughout the book to gain personal power as protection. She recognizes her lack of knowledge about her father’s kingdom, and she attempts to remedy that by allying herself with his enemies. Even more, she takes a stand as a way to protect her future. She spurns the help of Jadon and does this in her own will. Yes, at some point, Jadon becomes her ally and helpmate, but Aster creates a heroine who saves herself first. Aster shows us through her story that Delilah’s true power exists from within. Love simply helps manifest that power.
In the end, Willow Aster has carefully crafted a series that intrigues, titillates, and challenges you. With Pride, she brings a perfect resolution to a series that has been fraught with character anxieties and challenges. Yet, in true romance fashion, everyone finds their happy ending, and the kingdoms thrive in the world of “happily-ever-afters.”
amor_fati's review
5.0
Wow, Willow knows how to finish a series! This one, by far is my favorite and I loved them all, but the loyalty and love that is intertwined into this book with all the characters but mostly with Jadon and Delilah is amazing.
I just didn’t want the book to end and when I finally got to the last page I was left with such a happy heart. Pride is just that a story of going after what you believe in, following your heart, trusting your instincts and loving those around you fiercely all while standing strongly in your choices. Thank you Willow for this world you have given us.
I just didn’t want the book to end and when I finally got to the last page I was left with such a happy heart. Pride is just that a story of going after what you believe in, following your heart, trusting your instincts and loving those around you fiercely all while standing strongly in your choices. Thank you Willow for this world you have given us.
talonvictoria's review
4.0
As per the usual when it comes to the Kingdom of Sins series I loved this story and the characters inside of it! There was never a dull moment and the pacing was perfect.
But I think with Pride I soaked it up more and enjoyed it so much more because I knew my journey with these characters was coming to an end. In turn-- I took my time with these characters and their story. After four books I had become attached to them all! So it was sad to see it all come to an end.
Willow Aster has taken this series and turned it into something that I never could have imagined. I stay in constant awe of her each time I finish a book.
I am so sad to see the Kingdom of Sins series come to an end. I've enjoyed every bit of my time deep inside of this world and inside of Willow Aster's creative and magical writing and ever changing characters. I so look forward to what she has next for us!
But I think with Pride I soaked it up more and enjoyed it so much more because I knew my journey with these characters was coming to an end. In turn-- I took my time with these characters and their story. After four books I had become attached to them all! So it was sad to see it all come to an end.
Willow Aster has taken this series and turned it into something that I never could have imagined. I stay in constant awe of her each time I finish a book.
I am so sad to see the Kingdom of Sins series come to an end. I've enjoyed every bit of my time deep inside of this world and inside of Willow Aster's creative and magical writing and ever changing characters. I so look forward to what she has next for us!
bookaddict2011's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
The Kingdoms of Sin series is coming to an end and I am not okay. I love this series so much and I am not ready to see it come to an end, but I was definitely beyond ready for Jadon's story, and it definitely did not disappoint at all.
Jadon and Delilah are angst and passion, joy and fear... they are everything. From the very start, you are drawn into their story, wanting to know more and needing more with each page that you turn. Each book in the series has led you to this moment, to Jadon, and I don't know that I am ready to let them go.
Willow brought this world to life in a way that is unmatched and unparalleled. You want to live in the world she created, in the kingdoms she has formed. With each and every detail, you are right there in her world, watching as everything unfolds in front of you. You are experiencing everything each character is going through as they go through it.
Even though Pride is considered a standalone, I would highly highly suggest reading Downfall, Exposed and Ruin prior to diving into Pride. The ride will be worth it and you will fall in love with this series just as much as I did.
Five stars for this beautiful ending to a series that brought me to my knees and wanting more.
The Kingdoms of Sin series is coming to an end and I am not okay. I love this series so much and I am not ready to see it come to an end, but I was definitely beyond ready for Jadon's story, and it definitely did not disappoint at all.
Jadon and Delilah are angst and passion, joy and fear... they are everything. From the very start, you are drawn into their story, wanting to know more and needing more with each page that you turn. Each book in the series has led you to this moment, to Jadon, and I don't know that I am ready to let them go.
Willow brought this world to life in a way that is unmatched and unparalleled. You want to live in the world she created, in the kingdoms she has formed. With each and every detail, you are right there in her world, watching as everything unfolds in front of you. You are experiencing everything each character is going through as they go through it.
Even though Pride is considered a standalone, I would highly highly suggest reading Downfall, Exposed and Ruin prior to diving into Pride. The ride will be worth it and you will fall in love with this series just as much as I did.
Five stars for this beautiful ending to a series that brought me to my knees and wanting more.
whatemilyisreading's review
5.0
I loved Jason and Delilah’s story! This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning! I loved following on their journey and seeing characters from the series other books (all must reads!). Delilah is such a strong character, and we see that in so many different ways throughout the book. She is not one to roll over and take her position lightly or what is handed to her. I love all the strong female characters in this series, but Delilah is my favorite! Jadon seems like he would be a tough one to crack, but I love seeing his growth during this story! A must read for anyone!
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